WAYNE — The William Paterson University women’s basketball team continued its historic run through the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) tonight, Feb. 11, 2026, delivering a commanding 74–38 victory over Kean University. With the win, the Pioneers improve to a stellar 22–1 overall and remain a perfect 16–0 in conference play, cementing their status as the team to beat as the postseason looms. The Pioneers are currently number one in the NJAC women’s basketball standings, while Kean is down at number nine.
From the opening tip-off at the Sports and Recreation Center, it was clear that the Pioneers were playing at a different speed. William Paterson jumped out to a 21–7 lead in the first quarter, utilizing a relentless full-court press that forced Kean into early turnovers and difficult shot selections.
The story of the night was the Pioneers’ suffocating defense. They held the Cougars to just 32.5 percent shooting from the field and forced numerous shot-clock violations. By halftime, the lead had ballooned to 34–17, and any hopes of a Kean comeback were effectively extinguished in a blistering third quarter. William Paterson outscored Kean 30–9 in that frame alone, highlighted by a transition offense that the Cougars simply couldn’t track.
The Pioneers’ balanced attack was led by Renee Wells, who turned in a signature performance with 16 points and a staggering six steals in just 20 minutes of action. Her ability to disrupt Kean’s backcourt set the tone for the entire evening.
She was supported by a cast of efficient scorers, including Kaelyn Gowdy, who provided a spark off the bench with 13 points. As well as Mattison Chiera and Patty Walsh, who each chipped in 10 points. Jada Jacobs also acted as the primary facilitator, dishing out 8 assists while harassing the Cougars with 5 steals of her own.
For Kean (2-18, 2-14 NJAC), Maya Edwards fought hard for 10 points and 5 rebounds, but the Cougars struggled to find any offensive rhythm against the Pioneers’ depth. Kean’s Peyton Smith played the full 40 minutes, contributing 9 points and 6 rebounds in a gritty effort, but the sheer volume of William Paterson’s 27 steals proved insurmountable.
With only a handful of games left in the regular season, William Paterson is firing on all cylinders. Their undefeated conference record isn’t just a statistical fluke; it is the result of a high-pressure system that wears opponents down physically and mentally.
The Pioneers will look to keep the momentum going as they prepare for their final stretch, while Kean returns home to regroup for a Saturday matchup against Montclair State. This is a major bounce-back opportunity for Kean, as earlier this season (January 17), the Red Hawks handed the Cougars a tough 83–35 loss. Montclair State currently sits in the upper half of the NJAC standings, making this a “David vs. Goliath” scenario as Kean looks to play spoiler late in the season.
For now, the NJAC road still runs through Wayne.
The William Paterson Pioneers will host Rutgers-Camden (number 10 seed) this Saturday at the William Paterson Sports and Recreation Center in Wayne for a Valentine’s Day matchup. This will be a key opportunity for the Pioneers to keep their undefeated conference streak alive as they move closer to the NJAC tournament.
